Diseases in the city: PMC disagrees with doctors' diagnosis

Doctors maintain number of patients suffering from malaria, chikungunya, dengue is up, but PMC claims otherwise

These days, the city doctors are a busy lot. Thanks to changing weather post-monsoon. Doctors say that cases of chikungunya, malaria, dengue and viral fever are on the rise. However, PMC disagrees with the popular opinion.

According to physicians, they are facing a tough time managing patients.

Dr Vinay Patil said, "I get about 10 patients a day with complaints of cold, bodyache and fever."

Dr Sujoy Lodha, physician said that he receive 40 to 45 cases of chikungunya, malaria, dengue and viral fever every day on an average.

A disease similar to chikungunya has also hit the city. Doctors say that the patients complain of severe joint pain along with fever minus cold and cough.

"Surprisingly we haven't received any swine-flu cases," said Dr Avinash Bhondve, former president of the city's chapter of Indian Medical Association. "It is an epidemic situation right now since malaria, dengue and viral fever cases are witnessing a considerable increase. The cases of chikungunya have seen a decline but malaria and dengue are constant."

However, R R Pardesi, deputy medical officer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) maintains that the severity of diseases has reduced.
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"The city has 20,000 breeding spots out of which 6,500 are temporary spots. The control department has appointed various committees who are keeping track of these diseases and their causes. All the 14 ward offices have been asked to monitor situations in their area."

A recent survey carried out by PMC survey reveals that malaria and other diseases are caused by mosquitoes breeding indoors.

"People have to keep their surroundings clean," said Pardesi. According to figures available with the control department of PMC, the total number of cases since January for chikungunya, dengue and malaria are 59, 114 and 121 respectively.